Physics at Texas State University

Texas State's physics program earns graduates $41,737 in their first year—about $2,500 above the state median but $6,000 below the national average. That 60th percentile ranking among Texas physics programs suggests decent in-state competitiveness, though graduates here earn significantly less than peers at Texas Tech ($57,435) or Texas A&M ($53,329). Interestingly, they out-earn UT Austin physics grads by nearly $5,000, which challenges assumptions about flagship advantage in this field.

The debt load of $23,500 translates to a manageable 0.56 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates owe about half their first-year salary. That's reasonable for a STEM degree, though the relatively modest starting salary means the absolute payment burden matters more than the ratio suggests. A monthly student loan payment of roughly $260 on a $41,737 salary is workable but leaves less cushion than higher-earning physics programs provide.

The critical caveat here is sample size: fewer than 30 recent graduates means these numbers could swing considerably year to year. For parents confident their student will complete the degree and understands they're trading prestige for accessibility, Texas State offers a solid physics foundation at a controlled cost. Just recognize you're not paying for the earning power that comes with more selective programs.